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Virgil van Dijk has issued a blunt evaluation of Liverpool's disappointing title defence, admitting the reigning champions are in disarray and letting down manager Arne Slot while questioning whether all squad members is owning up for the team’s slump.

The Dutch defender could not contain his frustration after Saturday’s 3-0 home defeat by Forest, a result that saw the Reds in the bottom half of the Premier League table with a deficit in goals. The club's chair was in attendance to witness Liverpool’s latest loss in recent outings, their eighth setback in 11 matches across every tournament, and a display that unravelled against a Forest side that began the match in the relegation zone.

“Unacceptable” Start and Defensive Lapses

Van Dijk described Liverpool’s opening after halftime as “unacceptable” and admitted “panic kicked in” as soon as the Forest player gave Sean Dyche’s team the advantage. Forest’s opener was the ninth goal Liverpool have conceded from a set piece in the Premier League this season.

“There was a great build-up to the match but in a game you are dealing with facts and the truth is we conceded a set piece in the opening period and a terrible goal at the beginning after the break,” said the defender. “We are certainly failing the manager, but we’ve disappointed ourselves as well. Start with self-reflection and then you support teammates, you help each other get out of this crisis because at the moment it is a mess – that’s just a fact.

Captain’s Challenge: Take Responsibility

The skipper typically addresses the press after a match as part of his duties as team leader. This time was distinct, however. He spoke was much louder – audible enough that any player in the stadium corridors could hear him – and he expressed visible fury while challenging the dressing room to respond. “You should be angry,” he insisted. “The main thing for me is that everyone has to take responsibility.” When questioned whether this is occurring, he answered: “I don’t know. But it's essential. It’s the main thing I want the boys to do. It's challenging during difficult times but we have to do it if we aim to recover of this.”

Summer Signings and Team Problems

Liverpool invested almost £450 million to replenish a title-winning squad in the summer but have gone backwards, with new arrivals struggling to contribute so far. Van Dijk insisted that Liverpool’s problems extend past the new recruits. “It's difficult for everyone,” he said. “My expectation is for each player to be answerable on the pitch. We have to do that in order to push each other, to improve collectively. If a teammate presses, you have to follow the effort. It’s basic things but they're lacking enough.”

Appeal to Stick Together

Van Dijk added: “In the current term we lack any steady form, we concede far too many goals, we are losing battles and all share the blame for it and I trust this is recognized. We have to take responsibility to turn this around and tempting to assign blame but unity is essential. We have been through it together and won the league and everyone was part of it, and when you go through a tough time you must remain united and avoid blaming others.

“Show character and confront the hardship and persist, repeatedly because surrendering is not an option then you are in the wrong environment in my eyes, because this club has been enduring numerous challenges over those years and we’ve always come out of it. However, that doesn't imply it is easy, it’s tiring but there is only one path forward.”

Looking Ahead

The upcoming match in the domestic league is a visit to London Stadium next weekend, after the midweek visit of PSV in the Champions League. He commented: “The next game is another game so what am I going to do, dwell on the loss? Certainly not, I’m going to go home and try to think how we can turn this around and hopefully that is the collective focus as well.”